The August 2023 wildfires devasted the West Maui town of Lahaina, and also caused major damage in the upcountry area known as Kula.
As rebuilding takes place, a non-profit organization has partnered with several hotels and resorts to act as remote nurseries and help raise native plants and trees that will later be transplanted to Lahaina and Kula.
Thinking About The Environment’s Recovery
We have heard many stories over the last year and a half about the more than one hundred people who tragically lost their lives, and the thousands and thousands more who were displaced by the fire. The majority still have a long road ahead of them as they navigate the path to rebuilding their homes.
In the wake of the human tragedy brought by the fires, it’s understandable that the media has focused less on the environment and its recovery. But part of rebuilding these areas will be restoring the landscapes with plants, trees, and other flora in a way that can help the environment heal and protect against future fires.
Luckily, there are organizations in Hawai‘i who are already thinking about this process. Treecovery Hawai‘i, for example, is a non-profit dedicated to restoring forests and landscapes impacted by wildfires. Its goal is to plant 30,000 trees in Lahaina and Kula as part of the long-term recovery process for these wildfire-impacted areas.
The organization’s aim is “to provide trees for no charge to the residents and businesses in Lahaina and Kula that lost their trees in the wildfire,” and “to grow trees for future generations across the Hawaiian Islands.”
To accomplish the goal, Treecovery has partnered with a number of resorts to act as nurseries for the plants and help raise young trees. The latest property to participate is the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea.
Native Plants and Trees on Display at the Resorts
Guests staying at the hotels this spring and summer will benefit from the aesthetics of the partnership, with a fresh crop of native trees planted in pots throughout the property.
“As an official Treecovery grow hub, the resort is offering temporary sanctuary for hundreds of potted trees, including an air layer from the historic Lahaina Banyan Tree, which was damaged during the August 2023 wildfires,” the Fairmont Kea Lani said in a statement.
“The partnership seeks to restore the beloved landscapes of these communities, promote environmental sustainability, and support the healing of Maui’s land and people.”
The trees will be cared for until they are ready to be replanted in Lahaina and Kula later this year, given as gifts to the local communities.